Pompey closing in on Fratton Park friendly

The Blues are currently finalising their pre-season programme, with a number of matches already scheduled.

They have also pencilled in Saturday, July 23, to host opposition on home turf in the build up to the new campaign.

The club are presently putting the finishing touches in securing their opponents, with hopes it will appeal to Pompey fans.

Not since Charlton’s visit in August 2014 has Fratton Park staged a pre-season match.

On that occasion, Andy Awford’s side lost 2-1 in front of a crowd of 3,915, with Danny Hollands netting the Blues’ goal.

Last summer the Fratton pitch was declared out of bounds following extensive work carried out on the playing surface.

Instead, Westleigh Park hosted the Blues’ home friendly against Coventry.

Paul Cook’s side won the July 2015 encounter 2-1 through goals from Conor Chaplin and Gareth Evans.

The midweek fixture against the League One team attracted a crowd of 2,062, with the Hawks receiving a cut of the gate receipts.

Now Pompey are bidding to entertain opposition at Fratton as they close in on announcing their final two pre-season friendlies.

Another date up for grabs is Saturday, July 30 – a week before the League Two season’s start.

However, at present a trip to Football League opposition has been pencilled in.

So far confirmed are the Hawks on Wednesday, July 13 (7pm), Sutton United on Saturday, July 16 (3pm) and Salisbury on Tuesday, July 19 (7pm).

They also visit Bognor on Wednesday, July 27 (7.15pm).